The Dazzler accepts the dying of his light

With the career of one of cricket's colourful characters, Darren Gough, coming to an end, the tributes continue to pour in. In the Times, Michael Atherton hails him as England's most important and influential fast bowler since Ian Botham.

Gough does not stray too far from the classic caricature, the look-at-me-aren't-I-great school of Yorkshire cricket, but in the most important aspect of his game, his bowling, he soaked up information so that he became, within five years, an unrecognisable performer from the one who embarked on a first-class career just as Australia's 16-year domination of the Ashes began.

In the Guardian, Mike Selvey says: "In his going I can see Turner's wonderfully evocative painting of the Fighting Temeraire, battle deeds done, being towed to the breakers' yard in Rotherhithe."